The ultra-violet rays and their application for the sterilization of water

✍ Scribed by M. von Recklinghausen

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1914
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 866 KB
• Volume: 178
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0016-0032
• DOI: 10.1016/s0016-0032(14)90419-7

✦ Synopsis

WE have seen within the last years the creation of a new industry,-namely, the application of ultra-violet rays for the biologic purification of water. I think it of interest to lay before you the basis on which this industry is founded .

Almost every source of light produces with the visible rays some wave-lengths shorter than those which are perceptible to our eyes . These radiations are known as ultra-Violet rays. They begin at about .396cµ and have been observed down to wavelengths of about .Ioooµ . I may say at this point that some observers have been able to get light sensation from wavelengths shorter than .396qµ . This, however, is explained by the fact that the crystalline of our eyes becomes fluorescent under the influence of such ultra-violet radiations, and produces thereby the impression of gray on the retina ; that is to say, we do not see the ultra-violet light, but we see the fluorescence of our own crystalline .

This production of fluorescence is one of the characteristics of ultra-violet radiations . It is very noticeable with many of the fluorescent dyestuffs and organic compounds .

Another physical quality of ultra-violet radiations is their ability to ionize the air, which manifests itself by the automatic discharge of a condenser under ultra-violet light .

More distinct are the chemical reactions under ultra-violet light, the most noticeable being the generation of ozone and nitrous acid, which produces the characteristic odor of spark and arc discharges . Almost any chemical reaction which is influenced by the presence of light is much more influenced by 'Presented at the meeting of the Section of Physics and Chemistry held Thursday, October i, 1914 .